For the second year in a row, my son is participating in the local T-Ball league. Next year it will be my daughter’s turn (the league starts at age 5). This is a baseball family.
Unlike the recreational soccer and gymnastics that the kids have done in years past, there’s something different to the T-Ball league. Maybe it’s the fact that it’s two nights a week, making it a bit more of a commitment. Or that it’s 2 hours long from start to finish. But there is a definite team feel that develops.
There’s something else that happens because of having an extracurricular outside of school as well. He develops a new circle of friends. He has responsibilities (balance of time – homework has to get done on non-baseball nights!) and his confidence is growing.
While he is liking school and has made many friends there, I like that he doesn’t have to rely on those at school for a source of friendship and fun. His play date requests now include those at school, those in our non-school circle of friends (mostly my play-date mom pals and their kids!) plus his baseball crew. As a bonus, baseball led us to find a few friends just a street over! Ones we didn’t really know because they go to different schools.
I really like that the kids are interested in activities outside of school, and even more so that they are developing larger circles of friends and new identities that aren’t tied to school only. He’s really getting a sense for who he is, and who he wants to be. I’m happy to encourage that.
Are your kids involved in non-school activities? Are you developing new relationships because of it?
We just started T-Ball this year as well and my little guy has made a couple friends already. We are lucky in that we live on a street with about 8 kids all the same age, so our kids get a nice mix of friends from outside of their school as well.
so fun!! thanks to Tball we actually met more neighbours. that’s bad but good! 😉
Hockey, skating, dance, riding, soccer…my kids have tried different things and are now firmly in their respective hockey and equestrian worlds. They’ve learned lessons, made great friends and developed habits they’ll have for life. In turn I’ve been able to be present in their growing passions while making new friends too. It’s a win-win.
love it! and it’s nice to try different things to see what they like – my daughter wants to do tball but she doesn’t have the same passion ds does for it, so I wonder what her ‘thing’ will become
My kids have done all kinds of stuff over the years: skating, soccer, taekwondo, skiing and badminton, but the enduring biggies are hockey and lacrosse for one and chess for the other. These activities have expanded their worlds, their circles of friends and their sense of community. Ours too. Really healthy and beneficial.
Love that! So many benefits
V is 5 now and in Sparks, dance, swimming…and yes she’s making friends. And they cross over too. Several of her Spark friends were in T-ball last year I’m jealous of your league – V was in T-ball last year – only year she could use the tee, it’s 5 pitch for her this year and she really needs another year with the tee, so much that she’s opted out 🙁
oooh 🙁 that is tough!! Tball is great for 2 years because they learn the game, positions etc more. I’m curious to see how dd takes to it next year!